Automatically controlled heat transfer imprinter



March 13, 1962 M. Av FRENKEL ET AL AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLED HEAT TRANSFER IMPRINTER Filed Aug. 17, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Mafch 13, 1962 M. A. FRENKEL ETAL 3,024,557

AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLED HEAT TRANSFER IMPRINTER 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 .Filed Aug. 17, 1959 March 13, 1952 M. A. FRENKEL ETAL 3,024,557

AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLED HEAT TRANSFER IMPRINTER Filed Aug. 17, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 March 13, 1962 M. A. FRENKEL ETAL AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLED HEAT TRANSFER IMPRINTER Filed Aug. 17, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 amai @fu/a A frown/fr;

March 13, 1962 M. A. FRENKEL ET A1. 3,024,557

AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLED HEAT TRANSFER IMPRINTER Filed Aug. 17, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 262e. 26.25 262C 2G20 INVENTORJ` MAA w/v A. #Wsw/V62 1g/Mn a Pav/ March 13, 1962 M. A. FRENKEL ET AL AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLED HEAT TRANSFER IMPRINTER Filed Aug. 17, 1959 ELE-' l@ 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORS United States Patent @dice 3,924,557 Patented Mar. 13, 1962 .sul

3,024,557 AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLED HEAT TRANSFER DVIPRINTER Marvin A. Frankel, Huntington Woods, Mich. (901 W. Lafayette, Detroit 26, Mich.), and Raiph M. Burton Grosse Pointe, Mich.; said Burton assigner to said Frenkel Filed Aug. 17, 1959, Ser. No. 834,008 Claims. (Cl. 156-359) This invention relates to the imprinting of socks, stockings, hose, or the like, hereinafter referred to as stockings, with information such as trademarks, size, and washing instructions, or with a decorative design. It is conventional practice in the manufacture of stockings to place each stocking on what is termed a heat board with heat then being applied to the stocking either from an external source or by internal heating of the heat board, to cause pressing of the stocking to the shape of the board. Different size boards are provided for different size stockings. Thereafter the stockings are removed from the heat boards and hand stamped with a decal transfer and a heated iron to imprint the stockings.

The primary purpose of the invention is the elimination of hand labor presently involved in the application of decal transfers to stockings `by substituting for such hand applicati-on automatic mechanized imprinting of the stockings.

Another object of the invention is the automatic imprinting of stockings while they are still on the heat boards.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means for steadying and supporting the heat boards during the imprinting operation.

Another object is the provision of a machine which will automatically sense the presence of a heat board and be actuated thereby to imprint a stocking on the board.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an automatic stocking imprinter which will automatically sense the sizes of successive heat boards passing through the imprinter and select and imprint the proper numerical size on a stocking on each such heat board.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an automatic stocking imprinter which will automatically adjust itself to different size heat boards so as to imprint information on various size stockings at a uniform position on each stocking.

Other objects, advantages, and meritorious features will more fully appear from the following description, claims, and acc-ompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top schematic representation of a heat board conveyor such as Will be found in use in hosiery mills with one form of the invention, shown in block diagrams associated therewith;

FIG. 2 is -a top view similar to FIG. l but showing another form of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 schematically showing the mechanical details of one form of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a detail view looking down on the platen and back-up presser pad in the direction of arrow 5 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic electrical diagram of the control circuits for the invention of FIGS. 3-6;

FIG. 8 is a top schematic representation of a modified form of lthe invention disclosing an imprinter for automatically printing different stocking sizes;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the structure shown in FIG. 8 taken substantially along the line 9 9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. I() is a view taken substantially on the line 10-10 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 1l is a view taken on the line 11-11 of FIG. 8;

FIG. l2 is a View taken on the line 12-12 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the electrical control circuit for each of the machines shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 14-14 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 15 is a side View of the ribbon brake assembly taken on the line 15-15 of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 16 together with FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the electrical control circuit for the machine of FIGS. 8-12, inclusive, and 14 and 15.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show alternative layouts for imprinting stockings on heat board conveyors. The conveyors are schematically represented by a belt 20 driven in the direction of arrow A by an electric motor 216 with a plurality of heat boards 22 mounted upon the belt and upstanding therefrom at intervals spaced therealong. The heat board conveyor and the means for mounting the heat boards thereon is conventional and need not be further described. Instead of a belt type conveyor, the heat boards may be mounted at the marginal peripheral portion of a circular rotatable table. Such mounting of heat boards is also conventional. While on the heat boards the stockings are heated as by the heat boards passing through an ovenlike enclosure (not shown) or the heat boards may be internally heated. With the application of heat to the stockings on the heat boards they are pressed to the shape of the boards. According `to the invention, after pressing, and before removal of the stockings from the heat boards, they are stamped with a decal transfer or with a succession of decal transfers. For example one transfer may indicate the size of the stocking, another transfer the trademark, another transfer washing instructions, etc. For this purpose the heat board conveyor passes by or through one or more imprinting machines.

In FIG. l a plurality of imprinting machines are indicated by block diagrams at 9, 91/2, 10, and 101/2, which might be representative of stocking sizes which the irnprinters imprint on stockings of such sizes. For example, a No. 9 heat board will carry a size 9 stocking and as the size 9 heat board reaches the imprinting machine indicated at 9 in FIG. l, such machine will serve to imprint the No. 9 size on the stocking on the heat board. Thereafter the heat board and stocking will pass by machines 91/2, 19, and lill/2 without actuating them. As many different imprinters as desired may be arranged along the path of travel of the heat board conveyor to imprint all of the possible stocking sizes which might pass along on the heat board conveyor. In addition, imprinting machines for transferring trademark decals, washing instructions, and the like might also be arranged along the heat board conveyor either before or after the stocking size imprinting machines.

In FIG. 2 are shown but two machines indicated at a and b. Machine a is operative to repetitively imprint a standard decal, such as a trademark decal on each stocking passing by it. Machine b is adapted to imprint the size of the stocking. Machine a is shown in FIGS. 3-6 while machine b is shown in FIGS. 9-13. The machines indicated at 9, 91/2, 10, and 101/2 in FIG. l are very similar to the machine shown in FIGS. 3-6 with certain changes as noted hereinafter. In view of the fact that machine a of FIG. 2 is the basic structure, it will be rst described.

The machine shown in FIGS. 3-6 is adapted to transfer decalcomania transfers from a decalcomania ribbon to stockings passing through the machine. As the size of the stockings to be imprinted may vary from one heat board to the next, the machine is constructed to adjust itself to the various size stockings so that each transfer is imprinted at a uniform location on each stocking. The size of the stocking which necessitates adjustment of the position at which the transfer is applied is the length of the stocking which, when mounted on the heat board, is measured vertically and for this reason` the machine is adjustable vertically to imprint the decals in accordance with the Vertical length of the stockings. As shown in FlG. 3, the machine includes a heated platen 30 which is located adjacent the path of travel of the heat boards, one of which is indicated at 22, on the heat board conveyor Ztl. The platen is electrically heated from any suitable source of power (not shown). The platen is supported for reciprocation toward and away from the path of travel of the heat boards. It is also supported for vertical movement alongside the path of travel of the heat boards. Disposed directly opposite the platen 3u is what may be termed a firm-soft backup or pressure pad 32. Such pad is shiftable vertically synchronously with vertical movement of the platen and serves to support the heat board and prevent tilting thereof at the time the platen is shifted toward the path of travel to impress a decal against a stocking on a heat board disposed between the pressure pad and the platen. Supported for movement across the face of the platen is a decalcomania transfer ribbon indicated at R. The ribbon is provided in a stock roll 34 from which it is drawn and wrapped upon a roll 36 driven by a motor 3S.

More particularly the imprinting machine of FIG. 3 is mounted on a base plate or table 4G over which the heat board conveyor runs. A pair of opstanding posts 42 and 43 are mounted in spaced-apart relation along the path of travel of the heat board conveyor and serve to carry for vertical movement a carriage assembly 44. The carriage assembly includes three bearing blocks 46, 4S, and 5u received in vertically sliding relation upon each of the posts 4.2 and 43. Secured to and extending between the bearing blocks are vertically extending memers 52 and 53. Member 52 is provided withl a laterally extending platen support 54. Webs S6 and 58 serve to rigidify the support 54.

As shown in FlGS. and 6, support 54 is provided at the outer end with an upright member 56 carrying a pair of platen supporting rods 62 and 64. Slidably mounted on the rods by sleeve bearings 58 and 60 is a cross member 66. The cross member is reciprocated toward and away from the support 54 by an arm 68 secured thereto at one end and pivotally connected as at 70 to a vertical lever 72. The lever 72 is pivotally mounted at 74 (see FIG. 3) upon a lever bracket 76 depending from a support 78 which is carried by member 52. The upper end of lever 72 is pivotally connected to the plunger of a solenoid 8G. Upon energization of the solenoid, its plunger moves in the direction of arrow S causing the cross member 66 to be shifted toward the path of travel of the heat board conveyor. Upon de-energization of the solenoid a spring 82 connected between the lever 72 and the bracket 76 serves to retract the cross member away from the path of travel of the heat board conveyor.

Resiliently supported by a pair of V-shaped springs 84 and 86 upon the cross member 66 is the heated platen 3S. The platen is provided with a heater wire the ends of which are indicated at 86 and 8S in FIG. 6.

Electrically heated platens are of many different constructions and need not be described in detail except to note that the wire whose ends and 88 are shown in FlG. 6 is disposed within the platens to heat the same upon the passage of an electric current through the wire. Upon euergization of solenoid S the platen 3@ is carried toward the path of travel of the heat board conveyor. lf a .heat board 22 with a stocking ST received thereover is in front of the platen, the platen will carry the decal ribbon R against the stocking. The springs 84 and 86 allow the plunger of solenoid Si! to shift to the limit of its movement and cause the platen to be resiliently held against the stocking.

The motor 38, heretofore mentioned, which serves to drive roller 36, is mounted in any suitable fashion upon the carriage 44 and through a belt or the like 90 drives the roll 36, The roll 36 is supported at opposite ends between a pair of arms 92, only one of which is shown. The aXle for the roller is provided with a suitable pulley 94 about which the 'belt 90 is entrained. The ribbon is guided in front of the platen 30 by a pair of rollers 96 and 9S. Roller 96 is mounted on an arm 100 secured in any suitable fashion to the member 7S. Roller 98 is supported by an arm 192 secured to the member 54. Rollers 96 and 9S are so positioned with respect to the platen when the same is in the retracted position shown in FIG. 3 that the ribbon will be slightly spaced therefrom While upon energizatiou of solenoid S0 the platen will be carried against the ribbon, which will be deected as shown in FIG. 6.

The stock roll of ribbon 34 is supported, as is roll 36, between a pair of arms 104, only one being shown, which are secured to and extend laterally from the member 52 of carriage 44. Between the roller 98 and the roll 34 is a ribbon brake 196. The brake includes a solenoid 108 mounted on the lower end extension 110 of the member 56. The plunger of the solenoid is provided with a rubber-like or soft pad 112 which, upon energization of the solenoid is retracted from the ribbon while upon de-energization of the solenoid pinches the ribbon between it and a backup pad 114 also of rubber-like or soft material and carried by a bracket 116 mounted at the lower end of member 52 of the carriage 44.

Disposed between the ribbon brake and the roll 34 is an electric eye assembly including an exciter lamp 118 and a photoelectri-c cell 120 carried by an arm 122 secured in any convenient fashion to the housing of the solenoid 10S. Upon interruption of the light beam from lamp 11S `by the presence of a decal transfer between the lamp and cell the brake 106 is de-energized to stop movement `of the ribbon and at the same time the electricity to the motor 3S is interrupted. The distance between the photoelectric cell 120 and the platen 30, measured along the ribbon R, is such in relation to the spacing of the decal tnansfers on the ribbon, that upon de-energization of the brake by the presence of a decal between the exciter lampl and the photoelectric cell, a decal transfer is disposed immediately in front of and in alignment with the platen 3i).

The carriage 44 is vertically shifted upon the posts 42 and 43 by a screw threaded shaft 122 which is threadedly received through an internally threaded member 124 secured to the carriage. Shaft 122 is rotatably driven by a motor 126, mounted on the `base plate 40, through a helical gear 128, mounted on a shaft 132, which meshes with a similar gear on the shaft 122. The shaft 132, which is driven by motor 126, extends beneath the heat board conveyor 120 as lshown in FIG. 3. Upon rotation of shaft 132 in one direction, the rod 122 will be rotated to raise the carriage 44, while upon rotation of the shaft 132 in the opposite direction, the carriage will be lowered. Motor 126, for this purpose` is a reversible direct current motor.

At that side of the heat board conveyor opposite the carriage 44 are a pair of upstanding posts 134, only one of which is shown, which carry the firm-soft pad 32 for vertical movement. Received on each of the posts 134 is a slidable bearing 136 between and upon which is mounted a solenoid 138. Mounted upon the outer end of the plunger 140 of solenoid 138 is the firm-soft pad 32. The outer end of the plunger is recessed to slidably receive and support a stem 142 secured to the firm-soft pad. A pin 1154 extends laterally through the plunger 14() and between such pin and the rm-soft pad, and encircling the plunger, is a lightweight spring 146. Means, not shown, limit outward movement of the irm soft pad relative to the plunger lfs under the urging of the spring 146. Upon energization of solenoid 138, the plungerll40 is shifted toward the path of travel of the heat board conveyor and urges the firm-soft pad against `a stocking on a heat board disposed between the pad and the platen. The spring 14) serves to allow the plunger of the solenoid to complete its stroke and hold the firm-soft pad resilientiy against the stocking. The solenoid 138 of the firm-soft pad, and the platen actuating solenoid S are wired in a control circuit in such fashion that both are energized and de-energized simultaneously.

The firm-soft pad is vertically shifted on the posts 134 by a vertically extending threaded shaft 148 which is threadedly received through a block 150 secured to and between the bearings 136. Rod 143 is provided with a helical gear, not shown, which meshes with a helical gear 152 adjacent the end of shaft 132. The end of shaft 132 is supported by a bracket 154 mounted on the base plate 40. The thread pitch of helical gears 128 and 152 is the same .as is the thread pitch of the threaded rods 122 and 148, As a result the platen Sii and the hrm-soft pad 32 move vertically synchronously and are constantly opposite each other.

The imprinter shown in FIGS. 3-6 is adapted to transfer decals from the ribbon R at the same location relative to the size of the stocking on each stocking that is stamped by it or, in other words, if a trademark is to be impressed on the stocking one inch below the toe thereof, the machine will automatically adjust itself to imprint the trademark one inch from the toe whether the stocking be a size 8 or a size l2, by vertical adjustment of the platen and the transfer ribbon. The toe of the stocking represented at T in FIG. 3 is at the upper end of the heat board while the cuit thereof indicated at C is at the lower end. For purposes of description, the impriuter of FIGS. 3-6 is capable of shifting between three vertical positions to correspond to three different sizes of stockings that may be imprinted. A great many more different sizes may be printed as will be apparent as the description proceeds.

To eifect the automatic adjustment of the imprinter, the control system includes a size-sensing unit 161D shown in FIGS. 3 and 7 disposed adjacent the path of travel of the heat board conveyor. The unit comprises an upright member 162 carrying three switches 164, 166, and 168 disposed in vertically spaced-apart relation and each adapted to be tripped by a size-indicating peg or the like exten ing laterally from the heat boards. The position of the peg of each heat board will determine the size of the board or, in other words, the size of the stocking carried by the board. For example, the peg shown in solid outline in FIG. 3 at 171i adapted to strike the actuating arm of switch 168, and which is mounted on the heat board shown, will indicate a size 9 heat board while the pegs 172 and 174 will indicate, respectively, sizes 91/2 and l0, and will be mounted on other heat boards. It will ybe observed that the pegs are vertically spaced at different heights above the heat board conveyor so that all heat boards having a peg at the height of the peg 170 will trip switch 168 while all heat boards having pegs at the height of 'peg 172 will trip switch 166, etc.

The control system also includes a carriage position sensing unit generally indicated at 176 and comprising an upright member 178 carrying three switches 13%, 182, and 184. These switches are adapted to be tripped by a tripper finger 186 extending laterally from the platen carriage 44. These switches serve, in combination with the size-sensing unit, to stop the platen carriage at the proper height to imprint the decal at the correct position for the stocking size is sensed by the unit 161i. Switches 180, 182, and 184 are connected in a feed-back control, part of the complete control system, so that if the platen is at the position shown in FIG. 3 contacting switch 182 and at this position the. platen will stamp a No. 91/2 size stocking, and the next heat board to be stamped indicates a size l() stocking, the platen carriage will rise, while if the succeeding heat board indicates a size 9 stocking, the platen will descend. If the succeeding heat board indicates another size 9%/2 stocking, the platen carriage will, through the feedback control hereinafter to be described, maintain the platen carriage at the position shown n FIG. 3.

The control system is schematically shown in FIG. 7. A source of electric power at, for example, 220 volts A.C., feeds into the system through the leads 19t) and 192 and by a transformer 194 is stepped down to llO volts. The llO-volt current through the leads 196 and 198 is thereafter fed to a series of branch circuits. To facilitate a description of the control system and its effect upon the control of the mechanism shown in FIGS. 3 6, the platen carriage, shown in FIG. 3, will be assumed to be at a size 91/2 position, while if the carriage ascends to contact switch 184 t will be assumed to be thereafter in the size 10 position, while if it descends to contact with switch 13? it will be assumed thereafter to be in the size 9 position; such positions being appropriately indicated by arrows in FIG. 3.

At the position of the carriage shown, the normally closed contacts 132a of switch 132 are held open by the tripper linger 186 while normally open contacts 182|J are heid closed. The ribbon drive motor 3S will be assumed to be operating and the heat board conveyor will be assumed to be operating. If the heat board having the next stocking to be imprinted carries a designato-r or size peg for a size 10 stocking, i.e., a designator peg located as at 174, when such peg contacts switch 168, it closes the normally open switch contacts 168a energizing relays R-l and R-5, which by the opening of the normally closed enslaved relay switch contacts R-Sa stops the conveyor motor 26. Relay R-i causes energization of the platen-up switch 290, which energizes the. direct current platen motor 126 to cause it to rotate shaft 132 in a direction raising the platen carriage 44. As shaft 132 raises the platen carriage it will concurrently cause ascent of the firm-soft pad 32.

When the platen carriage reaches the size 10 position, the tripper iinger 136 actuates switch 184 opening normally closed contacts 184EL to (ie-energize relay R-l which in turn stops the platen elevation motor 126 by de-energizing the holding relay RI-Iz which in turn causes deenergization of the platen-up switch 20! to break the circuit to motor 126. During this time the ribbon has run to a point where a decal breaks the light beam between the exciter lamp 118 and the photoelectric cell 120 causing the photocell controlled relay switch RC to close, energizing relay 11A-4 and in turn rie-energizing the ribbon brake 166 and the ribbon drive motor 38.

With relay slave switches R-f-ib, R-5b, and R-a closed, time delay relay TD-1 is energized in turn closing enslaved switch "ID-1a which energizes the platen and pressure pad solenoids, respectively, solenoids Si) and 138, until the time delay relay TD4 times out after approximately five seconds or whatever length of time `the relay has been set for to ensure proper decal transfer to the stockings. At the instant time delay relay TD-l times out, it closes enslaved switch 'PD-1b to energize time delay relay "FD-2 which immediately closes its enslaved switches TD-Za and 'ID-2b, energizing the ribbon motor 3S, brake solenoid 106, and the conveyor motor 26 for approximately two seconds giving the ribbon suicient time to move the decal mark out of the light path to the photoelectric cell and the heat board selector peg out of contact with the switch 16S. Time delay relay Fl`D-2 then times out opening its enslaved switches. However, because RC is now open and R-4a and R-Sa are closed, the ribbon motor 38, conveyor motor 26, and brake solenoid will remain energized. With the ribbon motor and conveyor motor now running, the cycle is ready to repeat.

Now assume that the next heat board size peg calls for a size 9 stocking to be imprinted. This would be peg No. 17). As such peg trips switch 164 it will cause energization of relay R-3. Relay R-S will close its enslaved switches R-Sa and llt-3b which will cause the platen-down switch 202 to be shifted to close the circuit to the platen elevation motor 126 to operate the same in a direction causing the platen carriage 4e to descend. When the finger 186 on the platen carriage 44 actuates switch 180 as the carriage reaches the lower end of its travel, it causes contacts lidi)ou to be opened deenergizing relay R-3 and opening enslaved switches R-Sa and R-Sb to break the circuit to the motor direction control switch 262 to (le-energize motor 1.26. Normally open switch contacts Sb will be closed by the finger 135 contacting switch lSS and will energize relay R-6 to close enslaved switch R-da. With enslaved switches R-Sb and R-llb also closed, time delay relay TD-l is energized closing enslaved switch TD-la causing energization of the platen and firm-sott pressure solenoids 80 and 138, respectively, to stamp the decal ribbon against the stocking on the heat board. At this time, time delay relay TD-l will time out closing enslaved switch rfD-lb and this will energize time delay relay TD-2 to start its timing cycle. From this point the cycle continues as above described.

if the next heat `board also indicates a size 9 stocking, it will be noted from an inspection of FIG. 7 that the platen carriage will not shift, but other than this cycle will repeat as aforesaid.

lt will be noted that the ascent or descent of the platen carriage 44 will be controlled by the size of the heat board, which is indicated by the position of the selector or designator pegs on the board. It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that by adding additional branch circuits to the schematic diagram of FIG. 7, the machine may be adapted to imprint decals on a wide range of stocking sizes.

Considering FIG. l where a plurality of imprinters are arranged at spaced intervals along the heat board conveyor, with each imprinter adapted to print a specific numerical size on stockings passing by on the heat board conveyor, each imprinter will select only the size heat board which has on it the size stocking that such imprinter is adapted to imprint, and will imprint its numerical size on only such size stockings. Each of these imprinters is generally similar to the imprinter shown in FIG. 3 and heretofore described but differs therefrom in the following respects. The platen elevation motor 126 is eliminated as there is no necessity for an automatic vertical adjustment of the platen carriage 44. The upper end of the threaded shaft 122 is provided with a screwdriver-receivingr slot 250. By screwdriver adjustment of the shaft 122, the vertical height of carriage 44, as well as the vertical position of the rm-soft pressure pad 32, may be adjusted so that the numerical size to be irnprinted will be properly located on the particular size stocking. The size-sensing unit le@ associated with each imprinter will contain but one of the switches 164, 166, and 168. Such switch will be located at a position to be contacted by that heat board peg which is at a location indicating that the proper size stocking is being prcsented to the imprinter Ifor imprinting. All heat boards of a diiierent size will pass by the sensing units not set up to be actuated by them.

FIG. 13 is a schematic representation of the electrical control circuit for the modified FIG. 3 imprinter as discussed in the preceding paragraph. Instead of the three switches in the size-sensing unit 160, only one switch 168 is shown. lf the imprinter is to imprint a size 9 stocking the switch would be so located that only pegs disposed above the heat board conveyor at the height of peg E76 would actuate the switch. Upon actuation of the switch, contacts 16Sa and 1681, will be respectively closed and opened, and assuming a decal on ribbon R is interrupting the light vbeam to the photoelectric cell so that photo-relay RC is closed and relay R-4 energized withV its enslaved contacts R-flb also closed, the solenoids Sil and T135 will be energized to stamp the stocking. Time delay relay rFil-2 is also energized, and upon timing out some tive seconds later, or after `whatever time interval is required to stamp the stocking, will open its enslaved contacts Tij-2c and close TD-2b and "ID-2d. This will start the ribbon motor, heat board conveyor motor and de-energize the solenoids titl and i3d. Time delay relay TD4. holds contacts TD-Zc open and contacts rl`D-2b and TD-Zd closed for approximately two seconds and thereafter allows t.em to return to their initial positions. ln this two-second interval the ribbon and heat board conveyor will have moved sufficiently so that subsequent closing of 'YD-2c and opening of 'FD-2b and 'TD-2d will not interrupt the cycle. As the ribbon continues to move the next decal will interrupt the light lbeam from lamp il@ thereby energizing the photoelectric cell operated relay RC and closing the contacts thereof to complete the circuit to relay R-i -which in turn opens contacts lil-4a to tie-energize the ribbon motor 33 and ribbon brake solenoid lilo. The ribbon is now positioned for the next imprinting opcration. When the next size 9 heat board approaches the imprinter, its designator peg will contact switch 16S and the imprinting cycle will repeat.

lt will be understood that each of the imprinters used in FlG. l will contain a decal transfer ribbon having the numerical size which is to be printed on a selected size stocking on the heat boards passing through the imprinter, and that each imprinter will print only one size stocking. However, in FIG. 2 the imprinter indicated in the diagram at B is capable of imprinting a variety of sizes and is automatically operable to sense the size stocking, or rather the size heat board, moving along on the heat board conveyor and imprint the proper size number on each stocking. Such imprinter is shown in FIGS. 8-l2, inclusive. The imprinter includes a base plate lila similar to plate 40 heretofore mentioned, upwardly from which stands the structure shown in FIG. 14, which is, for the most part, similar to the structure of FlG. 3, and a repetitious description of such structure as is common to the two figures is unnecessary. Also upstanding from plate ila is a decal transfer ribbon supporting assembly which, in the illustrative embodiment shown in FlG. 9, is adapted to support seven decal transer ribbons. The ribbons are withdrawn from individual spools 2545 2541 etc., mounted on an upstanding spool rod 256. The lower end of the rod is received in the base plate 40a as shown in FlG. l1 while the upper end is supported by reception through an inverted Lshaped bracket 258. A spacer 260 spaces the spools above the plate fitta.

The ribbons are led from the spools 254, between path of vertical travel of the platen 30a and the upstanding heat boards on the conveyor 2t) by rollers 259 and 261, and on to take up spools 262,1, 2621 etc., mounted on a vertical shaft 264 supported at the upper end by a bracket 2&6 and received at the lower end within the plate 40a. The spools 262m 2621 etc., are frictionally slip driven by the shaft 264. A motor 38;, mounted on bracket 266 drives the shaft 265i through a belt drive 26S or the like. The friction drive between the shaft 264 and the take-up spools is such that upon energization of motor 33a, the shaft may rotate relative to those spools whose ribbon is held against take-up by a ribbon brake ltla while that spool whose ribbon is not so held is free to revolve with the shaft.

The ribbon brake assembly N6, is shown in FGS. 8 and l5. It includes two upstanding L-shaped brackets 270 and 272 each carrying a plurality of solenoids 274. Each solenoid is disposed directly opposite one of the ribbons with the solenoids on bracket 274i being indicated at 2742 274C, 274C, and 274g, while those on bracket 2'72 are solenoids 271th, 274 and 274,- with the solenoid bracket 27) disposed opposite alternate ribbons from the solenoids on bracket 272. Each solenoid has a plunger 27d shiftable away from the opposed ribbon upon energization of the solenoid and shiftable toward the ribbon by a compression spring 273 upon de-energization of thc solenoid. One end of :the spring is anchored to the solenoid housing and the other to the plunger. Each plunger has a resilient pad 280 secured to the head thereof which is adapted to pinch the ribbon against a back-up pad 282. A back-up pad for each ribbon is provided with one pad opposite each solenoid plunger. The back-up pads are mounted on two upstanding Lshaped brackets 284 and 286. When the ribbon drive motor 38a is ener gized to retract its brake pad from the opposed ribbon and such ribbon is thereupon free to move to bring a fresh decal transfer into stamping position between the vertical path of travel of the platen and the path of heat board travel, the ribbon brake is released on that ribbon which has just previously been stamped so that the ribbon may be indexed to bring a fresh decal into position for subsequent stamping.

Disposed between the ribbon brake assembly 106a and the spools of stack ribbon 254 is an electric eye unit 120B, shown in FIGS. 8 and 10 which includes two opposed uprights 288 and 290, one on each side of the ribbons Rs. Upright 288 carries a plurality of photoelectrie cells 292m 2921 292C, etc., one for each decal ribbon, and upright 2,90 carries a plurality of exciter lamps 306 306,0, 306,3, etc., corresponding in number to the photoelectric cells and disposed immediately epposite the cells in alignment with the ribbons with one exciter lamp for each ribbon. Each decal on each ribbon is adapted to interrupt the light beam from the exciter lamp adjacent the ribbon to the opposite photoelectric cell.

Size-sensing unit 160 is provided as shown in FiG. 8. Such unit functions in the same fashion as heretofore described in connection with FIGS. 3 and 7.

The control circuit for the machine of FIGS. 8-12 and 14-16 is shown in part in FIGS. 7 and 16. The control circuit is substantially the same as that of FIG. 7 except that branch circuits 306 and 310 of FIG. 7 are modified as shown at 306a and 310 in FIG. 16, and the phantom outline of relays R7, R-S, and R-9 and their connecting branches are included as shown in FIG. 7. The circuit of FIGS. 7 and 16 is sucient to show the arrangement for imprinting three different stocking sizes and for this purpose brake solenoids 274 274b, and 274!-c are schematically shown in FIG. 16. lt will be apparent to those skilled in the art how the circuits of FIGS. 7 and 16 may be expanded upon to operate the entire machine of FIGS. 8-12, 14 and 15 for imprinting seven different stocking sizes, or howity may be expanded to control a machine for imprinting a greater number of sizes.

The operation of the circuit of FIG. 7 modified by the circuit of FIG. 16 is similar to one heretofore described for FIG. 7 except as to the following. The photoelectric cell controlled relay switch RC is closed to make the circuit in branch 312 whenever all the light beams from the exciter lamps 306 to the photoelectric cells 274 are interrupted by decals on the ribbons. If any one of the light beams is uninterrupted by a decal then the relay switch RC will be opened so that the ribbon drive motor 33a will be energized. Each of the brake solenoids 274 is controlled by a relay switch enslaved to one of the relays R7, R-S, or R-9, and operates as follows. If the platen carriage is at the size 9 station and the platen is in the act of stamping the size 9 decal ribbon to transfer a decal therefrom to a stocking (assuming ribbon R9 shown in FIG. 9 is the size 9 ribbon), then platen position sensing switch contacts 1391, will be closed and relay R-7 will be energized holding closed relay contacts R-7, see FIG. 16. Because time delay relay TD-l, which has been energized, is measuring a time period during which the platen is holding the decal to be transferred against a stocking on a size 9 heat board, when it times out, enslaved switch TD1b will be closed energizing time delay relay TD-2 which will commence measuring a time interval during which enslaved switch 'FD-2b is held closed and this in turn energizes ribbon drive motor 38a and brake solenoid 274e to cause retraction of the plunger of solenoid 274e to the position shown in FIG. 15 to release ribbon R9 and allow it to be wrapped upon the take-up spool 262e. When time delay relay TD-l timed out, of course, 'FD-1a opened to de-energize the platen solenoid 30 and pressure solenoid 138. The time interval during which TD-2 holds its enslaved switch TD-Zb closed is long enough so that the decal on ribbon R9 is moved out of the path of light from exciter lamp 306e to the photoelectric cell 292e opposite it, and subsequent timing out of TD-2 opening TD-Zb will not alect continued running of ribbon motor 38a as RC is now open, R-4d energized, and R-4,a closed. However, as soon as the next decal on ribbon R9 interrupts the light beam from lamp 206e, RC will close, energizing relay R-4 and opening enslaved switch R-4,l to brake the circuit in branch 306 stopping the ribbon driving motor and de-energizing solenoid 274e to cause it to clamp ribbon R9.

In View of the description of operation of FIG. 7 in connection with the imprinter of FIG. 3, a further description is unnecessary of the control circuit for the rnachine of FIGS. 8-12 and 14, as those skilled in the art will now appreciate from a further inspection of FIGS. 7 and 16 how the automatic control functions to imprint the various size stockings. Suffice it that the platen carriage will automatically vertically adjust itself to that station opposite the ribbon varying size decals that are indicated by the location of each heat board as it enters the machine so that the proper size is stamped on each stocking. Following imprinting, the decal ribbon which has been stamped will automatically index to present a fresh decal for a subsequent stamping.

What we claim is:

l. A stocking imprinter comprising, in combination: a heat board conveyor, a plurality of stocking-carrying heat boards disposed in upright relation upon and at spaced intervals along the conveyor, each heat board sized to receive and carry a predetermined size stocking, mechanism for stamping a decal transfer characterizing the size of the stockings against each stocking on the heat boards and including a plurality of decal transfer tapes each containing predetermined numerical sizes of decal transfers, such mechanism including heated means for selectively stamping one of the tapes against each stocking, and control means coupled with said mechanism and operatively associated with the conveyor to interrupt movement of successive heat boards thereon and responsive to the size of each successive heat board to cause said mechanism to selectively stamp that decal transfer ribbon whose numerical transfers characterize such size against the stocking on each board.

2. A stocking imprinter comprising, in combination: a heat board conveyor, a plurality of stocking-carrying heat boards disposed in upright relation upon and at spaced intervals along the conveyor, each heat board sized to receive and carry a predetermined size stocking, designating means on each heat board characteristic of the size of the board, a plurality of heated platens supported adjacent the path of travel of the heat boards on the conveyor and each reciprocable through a stocking stamping cycle toward and away from a heat board op posite it to stamp a decal transfer ribbon against a stocking on the heat board, means for supporting and indexing a plurality of decal transfer ribbons each bearing transfers characteristic of a determined stocking size with one ribbon between each platen and the path of travel of the heat boards, and control mechanism coupled with the conveyor and with each platen and responsive to the designating means of each approaching heat board to interrupt movement of the heat board when opposite that platen associated with the decal ribbon characteristic of the size of the board and institute a stamping cycle of operation of such platen to stamp the associated ribbon against the stocking on the heat board.

3. A stocking imprinter comprising, in combination: a heat board conveyor, a plurality of stocking-carrying heat boards disposed in upright relation upon and at spaced intervals along the conveyor, designating means on each heat board characteristic of the size of the stocking on the board, a heated platen supported adjacent the path of travel of the heat boards for movement vertically of the boards and stocking-stamped cyclic movement toward and away from the boards, mechanism supporting a decal transfer ribbon between the path of travel of the heat boards on the conveyor and the platen, and control mechanism coupled with the platen and with the conveyor and responsive to the designating means on approaching heat boards to cause said platen to shift vertically to a position determined by the size of the stocking on the heat board as indicated by said designating means and cause institution of a cycle of stamping by the platen of the transfer ribbon against a stocking on the heat board.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 characterized in that said decal supporting and indexing mechanism is supported for vertical movement with the vertical movement of the platen.

5. A stocking imprinter comprising, in combination: a heat board conveyor, a plurality of stocking-carrying heat boards disposed in upright relation upon and at spaced intervals along the conveyor, designating means on each heat board characteristic of the size of the stocking on the board, a heated platen supported adjacent the path of travel of the heat boards for movement vertically of the boards and stocking stamping cyclic movement toward and away from the boards, mechanism for supporting in vertically spaced horizontally extending relation and for indexing a plurality of decal transfer ribbons with the ribbons disposed between the path of travel of the heat boards and the path of vertical travel of the platen, and control mechanism coupled with the platen and responsive to the designating means on each heat board approaching the platen to cause the platen to shift vertically to a position adjacent the transfer ribbon bearing the indicia characteristic of the size of the stocking on the heat board prescribed by the designating means and institute a cycle of stocking stamping by the platen of such transfer ribbon against the stocking on the heat board.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 697,246 Hall Apt". 8, 1902 892,805 Burdine July 7, 1908 2,690,l04 Schwartz et al Sept. 28, i954 2,832,164 Hall et al. Apr. 29, 1958 

